Holster for a handgun, for example, a pistol or a revolver

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a holster ( 10 ) for a handgun ( 1 ), comprising a pocket ( 11 ) for holding the weapon ( 1 ) and comprising an opening ( 12 ) for inserting the weapon ( 1 ) and means for blocking the weapon in said pocket ( 11 ). The blocking means comprise a supporting element ( 20 ) having a seat for receiving the trigger guard ( 1   b ) of the weapon ( 1 ), provided with a locking element ( 30 ) that can be transversally displaced relative to the axis of the weapon ( 1 ) from one ( 11   a ) of the outer sides of the pocket ( 11 ) between a protruding active position in the seat for immobilizing the trigger guard ( 1   b ) and a retracted position freeing said trigger guard ( 1   b ) of the weapon ( 1 ).

The present invention relates to a belt, thigh or shoulder holster for a hand weapon, such as, for example, a pistol or a revolver.

Holsters for hand weapons, and in particular belt holsters must comply with several requirements which are most often contradictory.

First of all, this type of holster must allow ease of use, that is to say, it must allow the weapon to be rapidly withdrawn from the holster and must have all safeguards, that is to say, must not allow the weapon to be withdrawn unintentionally, either by its own weight or by a third party who is seeking to take the weapon from the person carrying it.

Holsters are generally formed by a pocket which is intended for accommodating the weapon and which comprises, at the upper portion thereof, an opening for inserting the weapon. This pocket is provided, at least at one of the sides thereof, with means for fixing to a receiving member carried by the user. In the case of a belt holster, these fixing means are constituted by a loop which supports this pocket and, in the case of a shoulder holster, by a harness which is connected to the pocket.

In the case of tactical carrying, the pocket is supported by a fixing system which is constituted by a plate and/or a strap.

The butt of the weapon is arranged outside the pocket and the weapon is retained by a security lug, one end of which is fixedly joined to the pocket and the other end of which is fixed to the pocket by means of a fastening member, such as, for example, a pressing member or a snap-fitting member.

This type of holster has disadvantages relating mainly to the fact that the security lug can open in an untimely manner when the carrier moves and this lug can also be opened under the action of a third party, which allows this person to remove the weapon from the holster.

Furthermore, this security lug inhibits the weapon from being replaced in the holster after it has intentionally been withdrawn.

Holsters are also known which comprise a pocket which is intended for accommodating the weapon and which is provided, at the upper portion thereof, with an opening for inserting the weapon and, at the rear portion thereof, with a balancing member for supporting this weapon which can be successively moved vertically between an upper position and a lower position and, by means of pivoting, between a position retracted inside the pocket in which the weapon is blocked in an upper position against a fixed clamp which is fixedly joined to this pocket and a deployed position outside the pocket in which the weapon is released from the clamp.

This type of holster is complex to implement and use and even if it prevents a third party from removing the weapon from the pocket, it does not have all the indispensable safeguards and in particular does not allow the weapon to be readily reinserted since the balancing member may return to a retracted position with a simple pushing action before the weapon is reinserted.

The object of the invention is to provide a holster for a hand weapon which is simple to implement and use and which has all the necessary safeguards.

The invention therefore relates to a holster for a hand weapon, such as, for example, a pistol or a revolver, of the type comprising a pocket which is intended for accommodating the weapon and comprising:

-   -   at the upper portion thereof, an opening for inserting the         weapon,     -   at least at one of the sides thereof, means for fixing to a         receiving member carried by a user, and     -   means for blocking the weapon in the pocket, characterised in         that the means for blocking the weapon comprise a support         element which comprises a housing for receiving the trigger         guard of the weapon, provided with a locking member which can be         moved transversely relative to the longitudinal axis of the         weapon from one of the outer sides of the pocket between an         active position in which it protrudes into the housing in order         to immobilise the trigger guard and a retracted position which         releases the trigger guard.

According to other features of the invention:

-   -   the pocket comprises, at the upper portion thereof, a tongue         which can be moved between a first position located above the         pocket in order to block the weapon and a second position tilted         towards the front of this pocket,     -   the tongue comprises a first end which is pivotably mounted on         one side of the pocket and a second end which is provided with a         member for snap-fitting to a lug fixed to the other side of the         pocket,     -   the tongue is associated with a resilient element for returning         the tongue to the second position thereof,     -   the support element is formed by a member for fixing the pocket         and is provided, at the upper portion thereof, with two vertical         and parallel lugs which together provide the housing, the lugs         each comprising an opening for guiding the locking member,     -   the locking member is formed by a U-shaped component which         comprises a central branch which is arranged between the two         lugs of the support element and two parallel, vertical and         lateral branches, each lateral branch being placed in an opening         of the lugs,     -   the outer lateral branch extends over the corresponding side of         the pocket and is accessible from the outer side of this pocket         and the inner lateral branch comprises, on the face thereof         opposite the outer lateral branch, a stud which is intended to         co-operate with the trigger guard of the weapon in the active         position in which it protrudes into the housing,     -   the locking member is returned to an active position by means of         a resilient member, such as, for example, a compression spring,     -   the holster comprises means for blocking the transverse movement         of the locking member after a vertical movement of the locking         member,     -   the means for blocking the transverse movement of the locking         member are formed by a cut-out which is provided at the upper         end of the outer lateral branch and by a recess which is         provided at the upper portion of the opening of the lug for         guiding the lateral branch,     -   the side of the pocket which is provided with the outer lateral         branch of the locking member comprises a cover which can be         moved by means of sliding between a position for covering this         lateral branch and a retracted position which allows access to         this branch, and     -   the support element and the locking member are ambidextrous         components.

Other features and advantages of the invention will be appreciated from the following description, given by way of example and with reference to the appended drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic, perspective view of a holster according to the invention, with a hand weapon blocked in the holster,

FIG. 2 is a partially broken-away schematic, perspective view of the holster, illustrating the means for blocking the weapon,

FIG. 3 is a partially broken-away schematic, perspective view of the holster, illustrating more specifically the locking member of the blocking means,

FIG. 4 is a schematic, perspective view of an element for supporting the weapon in the holster,

FIG. 5 is a schematic front view of the locking member of the means for blocking the weapon in the holster,

FIG. 6 is a schematic perspective view of the holster, with the weapon being removed,

FIG. 7 is a schematic front view of a variant of the locking member, and

FIG. 8 is a schematic perspective view of a variant of the element for supporting the weapon in the holster.

FIG. 1 schematically illustrates a holster which is generally designated 10 for a hand weapon 1, such as, for example, a pistol or a revolver.

The holster 10 can be used as a belt, thigh or shoulder holster and it comprises a pocket which is generally designated 11 and which forms a housing for the weapon 1 and which comprises, at the upper portion thereof, an opening 12 for introducing this weapon 1.

In conventional manner, the weapon comprises in particular a butt 1 a and a trigger guard 1 b (FIGS. 1 to 3). In the storage position of the weapon 1, this weapon 1 is placed in the pocket 11 of the holster 10 and the butt 1 a is arranged outside the pocket.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, the pocket 11 is provided with means for fixing to a receiving member which is carried by a user. In this instance, the holster is a belt holster and these fixing means are constituted by a loop 2 which supports the pocket 1.

The pocket 11 is formed at two sides 11 a and 11 b, respectively, and comprises a front wall 11 c and a rear wall 11 d which connect the sides 11 a and 11 b. The sides 11 a and 11 b and the front wall 11 c and rear wall 11 d, respectively, determine a housing for receiving the weapon 1.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the pocket 11 comprises, at the upper portion thereof, a tongue 15, a first end 15 a of which is pivotably mounted on a shaft 16 which is fixed to the side 11 a of the pocket 11 and a second end 15 b of which is provided with a snap-fitting member, such as, for example, a push-button which is not illustrated, on a lug 18 which is fixed to the opposite side 11 b of the pocket 11.

The tongue 15 can be moved, after the end 15 b of the tongue 15 is unlocked, between a first position located above the pocket 11 (FIG. 1) in order to block the weapon 1 and a second position tilted towards the front of this pocket 11 (FIG. 2). A resilient member 17, such as, for example, a torsion spring, is mounted on the shaft 16 in order to return the tongue 15 to the second position tilted towards the front of the pocket 11.

In addition to this tongue 15, the pocket comprises means for blocking the weapon which comprise a support element which is generally designated 20 and which is illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 4.

This support element 20 is formed by a body 21 to which the sides 11 a and 11 b of the pocket 11 are fixed. The body 21 is provided, at the upper portion thereof, with two vertical and parallel lugs 22 a and 22 b which together provide a housing 23 which is intended to receive the trigger guard 1 b of the weapon 1, as illustrated in FIG. 2.

Each lug 22 a and 22 b comprises an opening 24 a and 24 b, respectively, for guiding a locking member which is generally designated 30 and which is illustrated in FIGS. 3, 5 and 6. The locking member 30 can be moved in the openings 24 a and 24 b of the support element 20 transversely relative to the axis of the weapon 1 between an active position in which it protrudes into the housing 23 in order to immobilise the trigger guard 1 b of the weapon 1 and a retracted position which releases the trigger guard 1 b, thus allowing an operator to withdraw the weapon from the pocket 11.

The movement of the locking member 30 is carried out by the user from the side 11 a of the pocket 11 opposite the side 11 b which carries the loop 2, as will be seen below.

As illustrated in FIG. 5, the locking member 30 is formed by a U-shaped component which comprises a central branch 31 and two vertical and parallel lateral branches 32 a and 32 b, respectively.

As can be seen in FIG. 3, the locking member 30 is positioned in the support element 20 so that the central branch 31 rests in the base of the housing 23 and the lateral branches 32 a and 32 b, respectively, are positioned in the openings 24 a and 24 b of the lugs 22 a and 22 b of the support element 20, respectively.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, the outer lateral branch 32 a of the locking member 30 extends over the side 11 a of the pocket 11 and is accessible from the outer side of this pocket 11. The inner lateral branch 32 b of the locking member 30, that is to say, the branch opposite the lateral branch 32 a, comprises a stud 33 which is intended to co-operate with the trigger guard 1 b of the weapon 1 in the active position in which the locking member 30 protrudes into the housing 23 of the support element 20.

The locking member 30 is returned to the active position thereof by means of a resilient element, such as, for example, a compression spring 35 (FIG. 3) which is mounted on a shaft 36 and which is supported between a stop 37 which is provided in the base of the housing 23 of the support element 20 and a stop 38 which is arranged below the central branch 31 of the locking member 30.

The side 11 a of the pocket 11 in which the outer lateral branch 32 a of the locking member 30 opens comprises a cover 40 which can be moved by means of sliding on a sliding rail 41 which is fixed to the side 11 a, between a position for covering the lateral branch 32 a (FIG. 1) and a retracted position which allows access to this branch 32 a (FIG. 2).

The support element 20 and the locking member 30 are ambidextrous components which can be used for a left-hand holster or a right-hand holster.

When the weapon 1 is placed in the pocket 11 of the holster 10, as illustrated in FIG. 1, this weapon 1 is retained by the tongue 15 and the stud 34 of the locking member 30 which blocks the trigger guard 1 b of the weapon. The cover 40 covers the outer lateral branch 32 a of the locking member 30, thus preventing access to this branch 32 a.

In order to release the weapon 1 and withdraw it from the pocket 11, the operator proceeds as follows.

First of all, he moves the cover 40 into a semi-open or completely open position (FIG. 2) in order to allow the operator to access the lateral branch 32 a of the locking member 30. The outer faces of the lateral branch 32 a and the cover 40, respectively, are provided with markings which are substantially similar so that the security level selected by the operator is not too apparent to a third party.

Furthermore, these markings allow better gripping of the lateral branch 32 a and the cover 40.

The operator releases the tongue 15 by pressing with the thumb on the lug 18 so that this tongue 15 pivots towards the front of the pocket 11 under the action of the resilient member 17, as illustrated in FIG. 2.

Then, the operator presses on the lateral branch 32 a using his index finger, which has the effect of compressing the spring 35 and moving the lateral branch 32 b in order to retract the stud 34 in order to release the trigger guard 1 b of the weapon 1.

The operator can thus withdraw the weapon from the pocket 11 of the holster 10.

When the weapon 1 is reintroduced into the pocket 11, the trigger guard 1 b moves the locking member via the stud 34 and this stud 34 automatically engages in a snap-fitting manner with the trigger guard 1 b owing to the fact that the locking member 30 has been returned to the active position by the compression spring 35.

After reintroducing the weapon 1, the operator repositions the tongue 15 and the cover 40 in order to prevent access to the lateral branch 32 a of the locking member 30.

According to a variant which is illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8, the holster 10 comprises means 50 and 55 for blocking the transverse movement of the locking member 30 after a vertical movement of the locking member 30.

These means for blocking the transverse movement of the locking member 30 are formed by a cut-out 50 which is provided at the upper end of the outer lateral branch 32 b of this locking member (FIG. 7). These blocking means are also formed by a recess 55 which is provided at the upper portion of the opening 24 b of the lug 22 b of the support element 20, this opening 24 b guiding the lateral branch 32 b during the transverse movement of the locking member 30.

In this manner, if a third party applies traction in an upward direction to the weapon 1 in order to attempt to withdraw it from the holster 10, the trigger guard 1 b of the weapon 10 lifts the outer lateral branch 32 b of the locking member 30. During this lifting action, the cut-out 50 is positioned in the recess 55 which prevents any transverse movement of the locking member 30. If a pushing action is applied to the lateral branch 32 a, the weapon 1 cannot therefore be withdrawn from the holster 10.

Under normal conditions, the withdrawal of the weapon 1 by the operator can be carried out in an identical manner to the previous embodiment, the locking member 30 being able to slide freely in the openings 24 a and 24 b of the support element 20 if no vertical traction is applied to this weapon 1.

In this manner, the means 50 and 55 for blocking the transverse movement of the locking member after a vertical movement of the locking member provide additional security in the event of an attempt to withdraw the weapon by a third party owing to the blocking of this locking member in terms of translation.

The holster according to the invention has the advantage, owing to the different elements which it comprises, of providing reliable retention of the weapon, whilst allowing this weapon to be readily withdrawn by the operator. 

1. Holster (10) for a hand weapon (1), such as, for example, a pistol or a revolver, of the type comprising a pocket (11) which is intended for accommodating the weapon (1) and comprising: at the upper portion thereof, an opening (12) for inserting the weapon (1), at least at one (11 b) of the sides thereof, means (2) for fixing to a receiving member carried by a user, and means (20; 30) for blocking the weapon (1) in the pocket (11), wherein the means for blocking the weapon (1) comprise a support element (20) which comprises a housing (23) for receiving the trigger guard (1 b) of the weapon (1), provided with a locking member (30) which can be moved transversely relative to the axis of the weapon (1) from one (11 a) of the outer sides of the pocket (11) between an active position in which it protrudes into the housing (23) in order to immobilise the trigger guard (1 b) and a retracted position which releases the trigger guard (1 b).
 2. Holster according to claim 1, wherein the pocket (11) comprises, at the upper portion thereof, a tongue (15) which can be moved between a first position located above the pocket (11) in order to block the weapon (1) and a second position tilted towards the front of this pocket (11).
 3. Holster according to claim 2, characterised in that wherein the tongue (15) comprises a first end (15 a) which is pivotably mounted on one side (11 a) of the pocket (11) and a second end (15 b) which is provided with a member for snap-fitting to a lug (18) fixed to the other side (11 b) of the pocket (11).
 4. Holster according to claim 2, wherein the tongue (15) is associated with a resilient element (17) for returning the tongue (15) to the second position.
 5. Holster according to claim 1 wherein the support element (20) is formed by a member (21) for fixing the pocket (11) and is provided, at the upper portion thereof, with vertical and parallel lugs (22 a, 22 b) which together provide the housing (23), the lugs (22 a, 22 b) each comprising an opening (24 a, 24 b) for guiding the locking member (30).
 6. Holster according to claim 1, wherein the locking member (30) is formed by a U-shaped component which comprises a central branch (31) which is arranged between the two lugs (22 a, 22 b) of the support element (20) and two parallel, vertical and lateral branches (32 a, 32 b), each lateral branch (32 a, 32 b) being placed in an opening (24 a, 24 b) of the lugs (22 a, 22 b).
 7. Holster according to claim 6, wherein the outer lateral branch (32 a) extends over the corresponding side (11 a) of the pocket (11) and is accessible from the outer side of this pocket (11) and the inner lateral branch (32 b) comprises, on the face thereof opposite the outer lateral branch (32 a), a stud (34) which is intended to co-operate with the trigger guard (1 b) of the weapon (1) in the active position in which it protrudes into the housing (23).
 8. Holster according to claim 7, wherein the locking member (30) is returned to an active position by means of a resilient member (35), such as, for example, a compression spring.
 9. Holster according to claim 1, wherein it comprises means (50, 55) for blocking the transverse movement of the locking member (30) after a vertical movement of the locking member.
 10. Holster according to claim 9, wherein the means for blocking the transverse movement of the locking member (30) are formed by a cut-out (50) which is provided at the upper end of the outer lateral branch (32 b) and by a recess (55) which is provided at the upper portion of the opening (24 b) of the lug (22 b) for guiding the lateral branch (32 b).
 11. Holster according to claim 1, wherein the side (11 a) of the pocket (11) which is provided with the outer lateral branch (32 a) of the locking member (30) comprises a cover (40) which can be moved by means of sliding between a position for covering this lateral branch (32 a) and a retracted position which allows access to this lateral branch (32 a).
 12. Holster according to claim 1, wherein the support element (20) and the locking member (30) are ambidextrous components. 